We Will Not Comply: California Forces Churches to Directly Fund Abortions

by:

Staff

Sacremento, CA

Oct 22, 2014

To the dismay of California's people of faith, the California Department of Managed Health Care has reclassified abortion as a "basic health service" under the Affordable Care Act and ordered all insurance plans in the state to begin covering surgical abortions immediately. Even churches are not exempt from funding abortions.

Operation Rescue opposes this policy that forces men and women who deeply oppose abortion on religious grounds to fund surgical abortion in violation of their faith, and encourages others to oppose it as well.

"Since Obamacare was first introduced, we warned that the day could come when Christians would be required by the state to violate their consciences through forced payments for abortion," said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. "Now, with this mandate in California that imposes forced abortion funding on churches, it has come time for men and women of faith to stand against this tyranny and refuse to comply with this unjust law that would make us accessories to the taking of innocent human life."

Last year, Operation Rescue launched the "Pledge for the Preservation of Life and Liberty," which has been signed by most of the nation's best respected pro-life leaders.

This Pledge has been carefully crafted to stand as a 'line in the sand' regarding any scenario in which the Affordable Care Act forces individuals to participate - whether directly or indirectly - in the destruction of human life. In short, the pro-life movement has chosen one answer to being forced to fund abortion through healthcare: We will not comply.

"I have made the decision not to comply with any unjust law that would force me to pay for abortions - no matter the personal cost to me," Newman said. "Instead, I have chosen to engage in peaceful civil disobedience rather than violate my faith and conscience. Those in California need to understand that this assault on our religious liberties is just the beginning. It will never end if we do not stand firm today and refuse to fund abortions. Religious freedom and the lives of babies that would be lost if we capitulate are more than worth the personal sacrifice. I invite Californians to join me in resisting this evil mandate."